Four major state-owned banks launch leave bonuses up to 28,000 NT dollars

To promote a healthy work-life balance, four state-owned financial institutions in Taiwan—Bank of Taiwan, Land Bank of Taiwan, First Bank, and Chang Hwa Bank—officially launched a "leave bonus" system this year. Centered around the core philosophy of "the more you take leave, the more you receive," the initiative encourages employees to take appropriate rest and engage more deeply in family life, with a maximum bonus of NT$28,000. Even if employees have already exhausted all of their annual paid leave, they can still receive corresponding bonuses under this system, further breaking the traditional separation between leave and compensation.

In recent years, Taiwan's work culture has long been characterized by high intensity and long hours. The Ministry of Labor has repeatedly called on enterprises to prioritize employee well-being and promote work-life balance policies. As state-owned financial institutions, these public banks not only bear financial service responsibilities but also shoulder social duties. To attract and retain top talent and boost employee satisfaction, these four banks have reviewed and optimized their benefit structures, incorporating the leave bonus into their annual welfare programs.

The operation of the "leave bonus" is quite straightforward: if employees choose to use their paid annual leave during the year, the system automatically calculates the bonus amount based on the actual number of days taken. The bonus is capped at NT$28,000; if an employee takes more leave days, the bonus increases accordingly, whereas fewer leave days result in a proportionally lower bonus. This measure not only encourages employees to exercise their right to take leave, but also uses financial incentives to reduce hesitation in taking leave caused by concerns over financial pressure.

According to statistical data, Land Bank of Taiwan and First Bank distributed a total of over NT$6.1 million in leave bonuses last year. Although individual figures for each bank were not disclosed, the combined total demonstrates the scale and substantial benefits of the program. Bank of Taiwan and Chang Hwa Bank have simultaneously implemented the same system; while specific figures have not yet been released, they are expected to maintain or increase bonus payouts to ensure the continuous improvement of employee benefits.

This move is not only a tangible benefit for individual employees, but also has a profound impact on the overall corporate culture and social image. By offering substantial leave bonuses, the state-owned banks demonstrate